Overview: Are short‑term rentals allowed in Mount Juliet, TN?

Short‑term rentals are not expressly regulated by the City of Mount Juliet. The city’s Planning & Zoning Department administers zoning, conditional uses, and variances, and requires business licenses, but there is no publicly available city‑specific short‑term rental ordinance (no permitting, registration, or cap/limit framework published). Wilson County (home rule) also does not appear to publish a county‑wide STR ordinance. In practice, an STR must fit within the underlying zoning of the subject property (e.g., single‑family residential), often requiring a conditional use permit or variance to operate transient lodging. In short: STRs can potentially be allowed if the property owner obtains the appropriate zoning relief and business approvals. Investors should not assume “by‑right” operation in residential zones without first securing a conditional use permit/variance. Cite the city’s planning and land development resources and the county zoning appeals context that recently examined an STR application in Mount Juliet.

Source:

• City of Mt. Juliet Planning & Zoning Department; “Land Development Code”
• Wilson County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting coverage (Sept 19, 2025) discussing a Mount Juliet STR request

How to start a short‑term rental business in this market

1. Confirm zoning feasibility

• Identify the parcel’s base zoning (e.g., single‑family residential). Lodging uses are typically non‑residential and frequently require a conditional use permit or variance in residential districts.
• Check deed covenants and homeowner association (HOA) rules. Note that a recent zoning appeal highlighted that the absence of an HOA weakens enforcement of neighborhood restrictions.
• Conduct a neighborhood compatibility assessment (parking, access, safety, noise).

2. Seek zoning relief (if required)

• File a conditional use permit (and possibly a variance) through the City’s Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). The BZA application, checklist, and submittal fee worksheet are available on the city’s Planning portal. Cite the BZA application form and the fee schedule to budget time and costs.
• Be ready to mitigate concerns: limit occupancy, maintain owner‑presence on site, provide clear parking and safety protocols, and commit to ceasing any event‑venue activity that triggered prior violations at the subject property.

3. Register the business and obtain licenses

• City business license (privilege tax): required for business activity in Mount Juliet; coordinate with the City Business License office.
• State-level sales and use tax registration with Tennessee Department of Revenue if you will collect state sales tax and/or the state lodging tax.
• If required, register with Wilson County Clerk for a county business license (varies by activity and location).

4. Taxes and filings

• State sales tax and state lodging tax likely apply to STRs (TENN. CODE ANN. § 67‑6‑102, § 67‑4‑701 et seq.). File returns through the Department of Revenue online portal.
• Local sales tax is collected by the state and remitted to local governments; no separate Mount Juliet lodging tax is evident in the public materials reviewed.
• Maintain records for the entire property portfolio; if you own multiple units, ensure each is properly licensed, zoned, and reported.

5. Build a compliance‑first operating plan

• Establish occupancy caps, quiet hours, and parking rules. Prepare a guest handbook and on‑site procedures for emergencies and after‑hours issues.
• Schedule periodic reviews with Planning and the BZA if conditions are attached to any approval.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

City zoning approvals

• Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for transient lodging, and a Variance if dimensional criteria cannot be met.
• Applications via Board of Zoning Appeals Conditional Use Application v1.18 and Variance Application v1.18; include Concept Plan, site plan, and any required checklists.
• Submittal fees per Planning Commission Submittal Fee Worksheet v1.18; see the self‑service Planning Department portal for filing and fee payment.

Business licensing

• City business license (privilege tax) for Mount Juliet business operations (contact City Business License office).
• Tennessee Department of Revenue Certificate of Registration for sales tax and state lodging tax (if applicable).
• County business license if required by Wilson County Clerk.

Operational compliance and design guidance

• Adhere to city Land Development Code and any development standards applicable to site, access, parking, and landscaping.
• Conform to Tennessee Fire Marshal life‑safety requirements for transient lodging occupancy and egress; incorporate smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and clearly marked exits.
• Consider adopting a simple safety program aligned with state life‑safety codes; document equipment inspections and guest safety communications.

Tools and references

• City land use maps, zoning map, and parcel viewer to confirm zoning and adjacent uses.
• BZA application materials and submittal calendar to time filings.
• State lodging tax guidance and sales tax filing resources through the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

Specific regulations (City, County, State) and what they mean in practice

City of Mount Juliet

• No published city‑specific STR ordinance. Zoning controls the use: transient lodging is generally not a permitted principal use in single‑family residential districts and requires a conditional use permit/variance. The city’s planning processes (BZA, commission) and Land Development Code govern approvals and conditions.
• Home occupation rules exist but are not a substitute for STR zoning compliance; STRs typically exceed minor home occupation thresholds.

Wilson County

• No public county‑wide STR ordinance identified. However, the Wilson County Board of Zoning Appeals has reviewed Mount Juliet STR requests and weighed neighborhood impacts (safety, traffic, precedent). Investors should expect similar scrutiny when seeking zoning relief.

State of Tennessee

• State sales tax and the state lodging tax likely apply to STRs; registration and periodic filings are required through the Department of Revenue. Municipal “city sales tax” is collected by the state and distributed locally; there is no separate Mount Juliet lodging tax evident in the provided materials.
• The state’s fire/life‑safety code requirements apply; ensure adequate egress, smoke/CO detection, and emergency procedures.

Recent local precedent (Sept 19, 2025)

• The BZA considered a one‑bedroom STR request in Mount Juliet. The applicant agreed to limit the operation to a single unit accommodating up to two guests, and neighbors raised safety and traffic concerns. The board emphasized the precedent of allowing STRs in residential areas and deferred the decision pending further review. Investors should anticipate rigorous neighbor and board review when seeking approval.

Local authority contacts

City of Mount Juliet — Planning & Zoning Department

• Physical Address: 115 Clecmons Road, Mount Juliet, TN 37122
• Phone: 615‑773‑6283
• Email: planning@mtjuliet‑tn.gov
• Website: Planning & Zoning Department (see Links)
• Self‑Service Planning Portal (permits/applications)

City of Mount Juliet — Business License Office (Business tax/privilege license)

• Phone: 615‑754‑2552
• City Hall physical address: 2425 N Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

Wilson County — Board of Zoning Appeals (Zoning relief review)

• Phone: 615‑444‑5552
• Website: Wilson County Planning (see Links)

State of Tennessee — Department of Revenue (Sales and lodging tax registration and filings)

• Website: Tennessee Department of Revenue (see Links)

Links to source pages

• City of Mt. Juliet — Planning & Zoning Department (overview, applications, and fee schedule) www.mtjuliet-tn.gov/154/Planning-Zoning-Department
• City of Mt. Juliet — Land Development Code www.municode.com/library/tn/mt._juliet/codes/land_development_code
• City of Mt. Juliet — Planning Department Portal (self‑service) mtjuliet-tn.govbuilt.com/
• City of Mt. Juliet — Board of Zoning Appeals Conditional Use Application v1.18 www.mtjuliet-tn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2379/Board-of-Zoning-Appeals-Conditional-Use-Application-v118-PDF
• City of Mt. Juliet — Board of Zoning Appeals Variance Application v1.18 www.mtjuliet-tn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2380/Board-of-Zoning-Appeals-Variance-Application-v118-PDF
• City of Mt. Juliet — Planning Commission Submittal Fee Worksheet v1.18 www.mtjuliet-tn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/53/Planning-Commission-Submittal-Fee-Worksheet-v118-PDF
• City of Mt. Juliet — Parcel/Property Viewer mtjuliettn.geopowered.com/propertysearch/
• City of Mt. Juliet — Zoning Map www.mtjuliet-tn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/82/Zoning-Map-PDF
• Wilson County Planning Office www.wilsoncountyplanning.com/
• Wilson County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting coverage (Sept 19, 2025) — Mount Juliet STR request www.citizenportal.ai/articles/5850397/Wilson-County/Tennessee/Mount-Juliet-Board-Defers-Short-Term-Rental-Request-Amid-Neighbors-Concerns
• Tennessee Department of Revenue (sales tax, lodging tax registration/filing) revenue.tn.gov

Notes

• This guide reflects publicly available materials as of late 2025. Municipal and county policies evolve; verify current requirements with the City Planning & Zoning Department, the BZA, and the Tennessee Department of Revenue before investing or operating.
• Investors should assume that zoning relief is necessary in residential areas and that approvals may include conditions to mitigate neighborhood impacts.